Heritage BarnWood Products Gives Back to Local Law Enforcement!

PHASE and Industries Inc. have strong ties to the communities in which we reside and encourage our staff to reach out in ways that can make an impact. This is exactly what Heritage BarnWood Products Manager Mike Walker did when he reached out to local Sheriff and Police Departments to present them with a "Blue Line Flag" as a Thank You, Not only did our participants go out and tear down the barn this flag came from but they strategically hand painted this line by line just to support these fine officers!

Thank You to all the men and women who serve and protect us and the community. This Blue Line Flag is currently sitting proudly in the Pine County Sheriffs Office, We couldn't be happier that a PHASE/Industries Inc. owned store is making a difference in the lives of others!

Great work Heritage BarnWood Products!

(Pictured from left to right is Dennis O Brien who donated his barn, Manager Mike Walker, Denise Baron and Sheriff Jeff Nelson)

PHASE is a private, non-profit corporation, incorporated in 1970 as a 501(c)3 in the state of Minnesota. PHASE primarily serves individuals with a developmental disability, brain injury and/or severe and persistent mental illness. Services focus on employment development, community integration, skill-building, and social, recreational and therapeutic activities. PHASE is a CARF Accredited organization, licensed under MS245D by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. In a given year, PHASE serves close to 500 program participants, and employs approximately 130 staff members.

PHASE is a Home and Community Based Service, meaning that its primary mandate is to ensure access to the community while preventing institutionalization of individuals served. PHASE works to promote the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities through its services, and in compliance with the 1999 Supreme Court Decision, referred to as the Olmstead Decision. The Olmstead Decision provides the legal authority to eliminate unnecessary segregation of persons with disabilities, and to ensure that persons with disabilities receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.

PHASE and Industries, Inc., a division of PHASE, serve individuals throughout Pine, Chisago, Kanabec, and Isanti counties. While the overall demand for services has steadily increased in recent years, the characteristics of new referrals and the quantity of service authorization have changed. An increasing number of new referrals are presenting with severe and persistent mental illness, and many present with significant challenges in behavior. Further, new referrals are commonly authorized for less than five-days of service per week, which has presented a challenge in striking a balance between resource allocation and service quantity.

New regulations, including the implementation of MS245D, development of the MN Olmstead Plan, repeal of MN Rule 9525 - Rule 40, proposal of MN Rule 9544 - Positive Supports Rule, Moving Home Minnesota initiative, Federal HCBS Plan, Rate Restructuring, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and Employment-First Policy initiatives, have provided both a challenge and opportunity to enhance the overall service delivery to be more person-centered, person-first, and community-integrated.

PHASE has adjusted its practices, structure and procedures to both comply with the new regulation, and meaningfully participate in the process of leading systematic changes in the field of supports for individuals with disabilities. PHASE has improved individualized planning of services, and moved to expand pathways for diversified employment opportunities to program participants. PHASE has expanded its community employment contracts, as well as increased the number of program participant and staff positions available through the expansion of internal PHASE businesses, such as PHASE Recycling. These areas of service development, service quality and business growth are further addressed in PHASE's Strategic Plan.

Vision

PHASE is... a community where compassion, expertise and opportunity merge to create a world of discovery and success.

MISSION

PHASE empowers Program Participants to live, work, and thrive through the discovery and development of their individual abilities.

OUR VALUES:

Program Participant First - Considering openly how all processes, actions and decisions will affect program participants. Every decision must benefit program participants.

Ethical Integrity - Acting at all times with only the highest of ethical integrity and scruples.

Empowerment - Committing in action to individual and team -development, recognizing ompetence, and reinforcing excellence.

Innovation - Committing to new ideas and creative solutions.

Excellence - Promoting best practices, accountability and efficiency.

Service for Social Good - Committing to improve society through service.

Fun at Work - Promoting an enjoyable and fun workplace in the course of serving others.

A CARF Three-Year Accreditation was awarded to PHASE for the following services: Community Employment Services, including Employment Supports & Job Development, Employee Development and Employment Planning Services.

CARF accreditation demonstrates PHASE's quality, accountability, and commitment to the satisfaction of the persons served.

CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human service providers in the areas of Aging Services, Behavioral Health, Child and Youth Services, Durable Medical Equipment, Employment and Community Services, Medical Rehabilitation, Opioid Treatment Programs, and Vision Rehabilitation Services. For more information on CARF, visit www.carf.org.